Envelop or letter opener.



iirllelllilims HENRY il.. GUDERJEN, GF YVES'EIELD, WSCGNSIN.

nNvnLor on narran ornnnn.

specification of Letters raient.

rammen aeg. a, reis.

Application filed September 1, lele. Serial 1510.859523.

To all 'whom t may conce/ra:

lle it known that l, HENRY A. Git-.fone

JAHN, a citizen of the United States, residing at llVesti'ield, in the county of Marquette and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and useful Envelop or Letter Opener, of which the following is a speciiication.

The invention relatesl to improvements in envelop or letter openers. l

llie object of tlie present invention is to improve the'construction oi" envelop or letter openers and to provide a simple, practical, and eiiicient device of strong, durable, and comparatively inexpensive construction, .adapted to be readilv secured in a convenient position to the side of a desk, wall, or similar support, or arranged upon a desk, table,v

or tbe like, and capable oit being easily operated with a single movement 'to cut the edge f ,of an envelop and of automatically returning to its normal position and of discharging the severed portion of an envelop,

whereby the opening of a relatively large nuinb'er of envelope may be rapidlyeected without liability of clogging the device.

With these and other obJects in view the invention consists in the construction and novel combination of parts hereinafter' fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and `pointed 'out in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in tlie torni, proportion, size and -ininor details of construction, Within tl'ie scopef the claims, I'nay be resorted to without departing 'from the spirit or sacriiicing any ofthe advantages of the invention. v

ln the drawing z--Figure l is a perspective view oan envelop or letter opener constructed inaccordance with this invention and equipned with a support or bracket, the oscillatory arm being at the limit of its downward movement. Fig. 2 is a central vertical sectional vieur of the same, the oscillatory arm being in its normal or elevated position. Fig. 3 is a transverse Sectional View on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. et is a detail sectional view on the line il- 4 of Fig.

3. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view on the line 5-*5 of Fig. 3. llig. 6 is a detail perspective View of one endof the head of the oscillatory arm. Fig. l is a detailperspective view of the slidable knife carrying cross head, the knives or blades being in position.

Fig. 8 is a similar view showing the opposite side of the knife carrying. cross head. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of the relatively fixed blade or cutter. Fig. l0 is a. perspective view of van envelop .or letter opener provided with a supporting stand.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding partsin all the ,figures of the drawing.

In the accompanying drawing, in whichis illustrated the preferred embodiment of the invention, l. designates an oscillatory arm arranged to swin upwardly and downwardly and pivcta ly mounted at its inner end in a .recess or chamber 2-of a support or bracket 3, adapted to be secured by screws 4: or other suitable fastening deviceto the side of a desk, or to a wall or other' support, as`

ferred configuration, and it is provided at the vfront wallof the recess 2 with an open ing 5, through-which the inner end of the oscillatory arm l extends. The arm l, which is'liollovv, is provided at the upper side of its inner end with an eye 6, through which passes a transverse pin or screw 7, which pivots the arm 1 the recess or chamber 2 of the 'bracket orsupport. instead', however, of pivoting the oscillatory arm to the bracket, any other suitable form of support may be employed and in Fig. 10 of the drawing, the oscillatory arm is shown pivoted to astand 8 consisting of a base 9 and a stand'- ard'lO risin from the back of the base, which has al at lower faceto enable it to be placed upon a desk, table, or other supporting surface. The standard-1 0 is hollow to constitute an interior chamber or recess, and it is provided at its front with'an opening 1l.

, through which extends the inner end of the roscillatory ar1u, which is pivoted to the standard by apin or screw 12.

The arm l, which is tubular or hollow,

vertical position and secured at its ends by screws 16 or other suitable fastening devices to the rear face oi' the bracket 3. The bracket 3 is recessed at its inner face at 17 to receive the abutment plate, which is provided in its inner or front tace with a vertical groove 18 in which the head 14 slides. rlhe head i4, which is approximately segmental, presents a rounded rear face to the rear wall of the groove 18, and the lower end ci' the reciprocatory plunger rod 13 extends below and in rear of the pivot 7 when the oscillatory arm is in an inclined position and, at the limit oi' its upward movement. -When in this position the oscillatory arm extends upwardly and outwardly, and it is adapt-ed to be swung downn wardly by the operator, which movement causes a relative upward sliding movement of the rod i3, the inner end of the latter and the segmental head sliding upwardly in the groove during such downward swinging,v of the oscillatory arm.` The plunger rod, in.

its relative outward movement, carries with it a pair of blades 1.9, which are actuated for cutting the edge ol an envelop or letter.' The head 14, which may be attached to the inner end of the plunger rod in any desired manner, is preferably provided with a shank 20, whichpis threaded into the inner end of the plunger rod. The plunger rod is guided at its outer end in the outer porl tion 21 of the bore of the oscillatory arm, and the inner portion 22 of the bore is enlarged to torni a shoulder 23 and is threaded at 24 for the reception of a bearing sleeve or bushing 25, which vforms a guide and. slidably receives the inner portion of the plunger rod 13. rIhe plunger rod 13 is provided at its inner or rear portion with a collar 2G and interposed between the liront end ci? the same and the shoulder -23 is a coiled spring 27. |The coiled spring 27, by

4pressing against the shoulder 23 and theA collar 26, tends to urge the plunger rod rearwardly and operatesto maintain the oscillatory arm. normally in the elevated position shown in Fig'. 2. When the oscillatory' arm is swung .downwardly to the position shown in Fig. 1, the coiled spring is compressed bywthe forward or outward movement of thefcollar 26, 'and is adapted to automatically swing the oscillatory arm upwardly and return the same and the cutter to their 'normal or initial position after an envelop or letter has been cut or opened.

The threaded sleeve orbushing 25 is pro 1 vided at its rear end with a polygonal wrench receiving portion. 28, and is adapted to be adjusted to vary the tension ofl the spring. y

The blades 19, which coperate with a relatively fixed blade lor cutter 29, are secured to a cross head vand they are taf pered toward their inner ends and present License 'bppositely inclined outer ctting edges 31, which are beveled transversely of the blade' 19. The cutter carrying cross head, which is tapered inwardly from its ends to its center to coniorm to the general' configuration of the blades 19, is provided with a substantially straight inner or rear edge and has integral longitudinal ribs or flanges 32 to form seats or abutments for the inner or.

rear edges of the blades. These ribs or flanges 32, which are located at opposite sides of a central socket 33, are adapted to relieve of strain the screws 34 or .other fastening devices, for' securing the blades to the cross head. The cutting edges orn the blades 19 are arranged at an angle to each other and form substantially a concave cut-v ternand are adapted to produce a shear or draw cut, whereby the edge of an envelop is effectively sevred. The socket 33 is interiorly threaded to receive the outer end 35 of the plunger rod 13, which is correspond? ingly threaded. The. oscillatory arm is equipped at its outer end with an integral head 36, constituting one section of a case' ing, which consists of the head of the plunger rod and a removable cap or section 87. The head 3.6 consists of an inner or rear wall 38, ai bottom wall 39, and ends 40, which are ithickened and provided with guide grooves 41, fonined in the inner side faces oie edges of. the end portions 40 for the reception ofszthe terminal portions 42 of the cutter carrying cross head 30. .The terminal portions 42 of the cross head, 30 project beyond the outer ends of the blades and guided in their reciprocatory movement and the cross head and the said blades are held against lateral or endwise movemert by the said head or integral section of the casing. The end portions 40 of the head 36 are also provided with recesses 43 forming seats for the terminals 44 of the relatively Fixed blade or cutter 29, and the latter is..

also. provided with inwardly or rearwardly projecting lugs 45 located at the terminalsv of the cutting edge 46 of the said blade or cutter 29 ,and litting against the end portionsof the movableblades 19.

The blades V19 and 29 are held in close frictions-l engagement by means pf curved springs 47, operated in grooves 48 in the upper faces of the end portions 40, and hav'- ing their outer ends bearing against the terminals 44 of the relatively fixed blade or cutter 29. Ilhe grooves 48 extend inwardly or rearwardly from the recesses 43, which are located lat the front or outer portions of f the enlarged ends 40 of the casing. The springs 47, which may be constructed of any suitable material, have their rear ends bearingragainst the inner end walls of the grooves 487 and they are placed under tension by the removable cap or section 37 of the casing when the said cap is secured to I the other section or huh 36.

meende The springs, by holding the cutters tightly together, enable the same to maire a clean positive out in severing the edge portion of an envelop or letter. The removable cap or section of the casing, which is approximately l.-shaped in cross section, consists of an upper wall and an outer side wall, and it is secured by screws 4:9 or other suitable fastening devices to the upper ifaces of the end portions 4G of the head 36. The upper wall or portion of the removable section of the casing is provided with a slot or opening 50, tapered downwardly or inwardly to form a daring mouth or entrance and to present inclined edges or faces to an envelop or letter to facilitate the introduction ofthe same into the casing. `When theoscillatory arm is at the limit of its upward movement, the cutting edges 3l and i-.6 are 'spaced apart, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawing, and the envelop receiving opening' 50 is located above the space between the said cutting edges 3l and 46 to 'enable a portion of an envelop to extend between the cutters, so as to have the edge portion out off by the same. The relatively fixed cutter 29 is located beneath the outer side of the opening 50, and the movable cutter is normally located below the inner side of the said opening 50.,

ln the operation of the deviceI a portion o' an envelop is introduced into the opening 50, so as to project between the cutters, and the oscillatory arm is then swung downwardly, which causes the movable cutterto move outwardlygtoward and over the cutting lo of the relatively ned cutter, thereby cutting oli a portion of the letter or envelop. The letter or envelop is then retiti moved from the device and the oscillatory arm is automatically swung upward and the movable cutter simultaneously returned to its initial position by the action of a coiled spring. The lower or bottom' wall 39 of the casing terminates short of the outer endedges of the end portions 40 and is spaced :from the outer end wall of the removable section to provide a lower opening 5l `for the discharge of the' severed portion of the letter or envelop. The severed portion of the letter or envelop falls through the bottom opening 5l and there is no liability ,of the device becoming clogged through a rapid operation of the same.

lll/hilo thedevice is shown in the accompanying drawing as an envelop or letter opener, the construction may be advanta geously employed in devices of an analogous character, suchras a cigar cutter.

l. A device oit thel class described including an oscillatory erin, a movable cutter carried by the arm, and a spring actuated rod mounted on the erin and connected with and adapted to operate the cutter, an abutment adapted to be engaged by .the/droid when the i arm is swung 1n one direction to actuate the cutter and simultaneously compress the ed to be brought into engagement, whereby the latter is forced outwardly when the arm is swung in one direction, and a spring arranged to swing the arm in the opposite direction and to move the rod inwardly.

`3. A device of the class described including a pivotally mounted oscillatory arm, a

rod slidably mounted in the arm and projecting from the inner end thereof, said inner end being adapted to engage a fixed abutment, whereby the rod will be forged outwardly when the arm is swung in tone direction, a coiled spring ydisposed on the rod and housed within the armfor swing ing the latter in the opposite direction and for moving the rod inwardly, and a cutter carried -by the arm and connected with and operated by the rod.

4. A device of the class described includ ing a pivotally mounted oscillatory arm, a slidable rod carried by the arm and projecting from the inner end thereof, said rod being provided at its inner end with a rounded head arranged to engage a fixed abutment, whereby the rod will be forced outwardly when the arm is swung in one di rection, a spring arranged to swing the arm in the opposite direction and simultaneously move the rod inwardly, and a cutter carried by the arm and connected with and operated by the rod. 'Y

5. A device of the class described includ ing a pivotally mounted oscillatory arm, a'

slidable rod carried by the arm an extend los ing from the inner end thereof, said rod being provided atvits inner end with a substantially segmental head, a iXed abutment having a groove receiving the head of the rod, the latter being adapted to be moved outwardly by the arm when the latter is swung in one direction, a spring for swinging the arm in the opposite direction andfor simultaneouslyv moving the rod inwardly, and a movable `cutter carried by the arm and vconnected with and actuated by the rod.

h 69A device of the class described includlng a support having an interior recess or chamber and provided at the front thereot1 v with an opening, said support having a fixed abutment arranged at the back ofthe chamber, an oscillatory arm extending through `the said opening and pivotally mounted within the recess or chamber of the supporta spring actuated rod mounted on the arm and having a portion arranged to engage the said abutment, whereby the rod is moved outwardly when thev arm is lthe opposite direction.

swung in one direction and the spring is compressed to move the arm and the rod in 7. A device of the class described including a pivotally mounted oscillatory arm having a bore enlarged at the inner portion to form a shoulder and threaded at the inner end, a bearing sleeve or bushing threaded into the inner end of the arm, a slidable rod guided in the outer portion of the arm and in the said bushing, said rod projecting lfrom the inner end of the arm and arranged to engage a fixed abutmentwhereby the rod ismoved outwardly when the arm is swung in one direction, a coiled spring housed within the inner portion of the arm and seated at one end against the said shoulder and connected at its other end with the rod for swinging the arm in the opposite direction and for moving the rod inwardly, and a cutter carried by the arm and connected with and actuated bv the rmi 8. A device of the class described including an oscillatory armarranged to swing upwardly and downwardly, said arm being provided at its outer portion with a casing having an opening at the upper portion, a

cutter slidably mounted within the casing Aand movablebencath the opening, and a spring actuated rod carried bythe arm and connected with the cutter, an abutment I against which said rod is brought into engagement, whereby the rod is forced in Aone direction against the action of its spring.

9. A device ofthe class described including an oscillatory arm arranged to swing upwardly and downwardly, said arm being provided with a casing having an opening at the top for the introduction oi. a letter or envelop and provided at the bottom with a discharge opening located beneath the said opening, a cutter mounted within the casing and movable beneath the upper opening, and a spring actuated rod carried by the arm and connected with the cutter, an abutment adapted to be engaged by the rod when the arm is swung 'in one direction, whereby the cutter is actuated and the spring compressed to return the parts to their initial position.

10. A device of the class described including an oscillatory arml provided with a casing having an opening, detachable iXed and movable cutters mounted within the casing and located 0n opposite side'sof the opening, a spring'mounted in the casing for holding the cutters in rictionalengagement, and means connected with the movable cutter for actuating the same when the arm is oscillated.

11. A deviceof the class described includactuating the latter when the arm is oscil-A lated.

12. A device of the class described including an oscillatory arm, a casing carried by the arm and provided with terminal recesses forming seats, a movable cutter, a relatively fixed cutter bearing against the movable cutter and having its terminals arranged in the said recesses, springs bearing against the terminals ofthe relatively fixed cutter for holding the cutters in close frictional conf tact, and means carried by the arm and connected with the movable cutter for actuating vthe latter when the arm is oscillated.

13. A cutter, comprising a movable arm, a'

cutter carried by the arm, means for actuating said cutter supported by the arm, and means for moving said actuating means longitudinally of the arm upon the movement of the arm.

14. A cutter, comprisin a movable arm, a stationary cutter carrie by the arm, a movable cutter, means connected to said cut- .ter and supported by the arm, and means for operating said first-mentioned means upon the actuation of said arm.

15. A device of the class described including an oscillatory arm, a casing carried by the arm and consisting' ofa movable cap I or section, and a head rigid with the arm,

the section being provided with end recesses and having grooves extending fromthe 'recesses, a movable cutter arranged within the casing, a relatively fixed cutter bearing against the movable cutter and having its terminals arranged in the said recesses, and springs operating in the grooves and bearinO against the' relatively fixed cutter `f0r holding the cutters in close frictional contaict, said springs being placed 'under tension by the removable cap or" section.

16. A device of the lclass described including an oscillatory arm, a casing carried by the arm, a movable cutter arranged" within x the casing, a relatively iXed cutter also ar ranged within the casing and provided with projecting lugs bearing against the movable cutter, means for holding the cutters in close frictional contact, and means carried by the arm and connected with the movable cutter for actuating the same when the arm is oscillated.

17. A device of the class described including an oscillatory arm provided with a cas lng, a cross head guided in the casing and l Cross head, said vrod having a portion ar- Witnesses: ranged to engage a xed abutment when the PHILO HAMMOND,

1,318,896 y blades mounted oil the cross headand fitted In testimoiiy, that' clziim` the fozfegoiig against thesad ribs or flanges9 and a spring as my own, I have hereto aaxed my signa,- aetueted rod carried by the arm andhavngture in the presence of two Witnesses. its 'outer end secured in the socket of the HENRY A. GUDERJAHN.

arm is swung in one direction. n THEO. R. BERTIN. 

